Question 1

How should dog walkers structure pricing?

Accepted Answer

Three common models: per-walk pricing ($20-$45 for 30 minutes, $30-$60 for 60 minutes depending on city), monthly packages (e.g., 20 walks/month at a 10% discount), or hourly. City rates: NYC and SF run $35-$55 per 30-min walk; suburban markets sit around $20-$30. Multi-dog households typically charge $5-$10 per additional dog. Whatever model you use, name it on the invoice ('20 weekday walks @ $25 each = $500') so the client can match the bill against their calendar.

Question 2

Should dog walkers charge holiday and weekend surcharges?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and name them on the invoice. Industry norm is +25-50% on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's, Independence Day) and +10-15% on weekends if you don't normally walk weekends. The surcharge should appear as its own line: 'Holiday surcharge (Thanksgiving) — +50%' or 'Weekend rate differential.' Hidden holiday markups produce more disputes than any other element of pet-care invoicing.

Question 3

How do I bill for monthly recurring clients?

Accepted Answer

Most established dog walkers invoice on the 1st of each month for the upcoming month's walks (with a calendar of scheduled days attached or referenced). Adjust the next month's invoice for any cancellations or add-ons from the prior month. Some prefer end-of-month invoicing in arrears — easier for variable schedules, slower for cash flow. Whichever you pick, name your cancellation policy on the invoice (industry standard: 24-hour notice for full credit, less for partial credit).

Question 4

What payment terms work for dog walking?

Accepted Answer

Due-on-receipt or Net 7 for monthly invoices. New clients usually pay weekly or per-walk on the day of service. Established clients comfortably pay monthly. For corporate dog-walking accounts (offices with on-site walkers), Net 15 or Net 30 is normal. Avoid Net 30 for individual pet owners — the per-walk dollar amounts are too small to justify the float and the relationship is more retail than B2B.

Question 5

Do dog walkers need to charge sales tax?

Accepted Answer

Most US states don't tax pet-care services. Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, and West Virginia tax most services. A handful of cities (Washington DC, parts of Texas) impose specific local taxes on pet services. Add-on products you sell (treats, toys, branded apparel) are taxable as goods in most states. If you're unsure, the safe pattern is itemizing services and goods separately and applying tax only to the goods line.

Question 6

How should I list pet names on the invoice?

Accepted Answer

In the description for each walk line item: 'Daily walk, Tuesday Aug 12, Bella + Max, 45 min.' Multi-pet households expect to see the names so they know what they're paying for. Solo walkers often skip this and clients still understand, but on monthly invoices with 20+ walks, the pet name in each line saves the client a phone call about which walks were for which dog. It also makes the invoice useful as a record of services.

Dog Walker Invoice Template

Features Built for Dog Walkers

Per-Walk Line Items

Holiday Surcharges

Monthly Recurring

What Pet-Care Pros Bill For

Solo Dog Walkers

Multi-Walker Pet-Care Companies

Drop-In Pet Sitting

Vacation & Boarding Coverage

Dog Walker Invoicing FAQ